Varsities in Innovative Strategies to Restore West Pokot lands

Prof Imbuga and Director Anders append their signatures during the signing of the MoU. Looking on is Dr. Muikamba Kaibui, Coordinator of University Collaborations

Kenyan and Swedish Universities are carrying out a joint research in West Pokot with the aim of restoring the degraded dry-lands in the area. The project is set to be rolled out later to other dry areas.

The partnership that was formalized Tuesday, November 25, though the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) at the University’s Main Campus in Juja, also includes among other things, students and staff exchange.

According to Anders Malmer, the director Agricultural Sciences for Global Development (SLU Global), the focus of the initiative dubbed: “Triple L,” is to restore the land with innovative strategies in order to increase livestock production as well as improve livelihoods and food security.

There is currently an ongoing multidisciplinary course for 19 students from African countries and Sweden in Restoration of Degraded Dry lands. The students are drawn from Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania and Sweden.

In her rejoinder, JKUAT Vice Chancellor Prof. Mabel Imbuga said the initiative was welcome as it aimed at improving Kenyan’s livelihoods, a mandate the University was committed to achieving.

Collaboration between JKUAT and the Swedish University started in 2011 with staff from the former University visiting the later for short courses.